Exodus 36 · Verse 5

Exodus 36:5

And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make.
Exodus 36:5, King James Version

Exodus 36:5 in other translations

BSBand said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD has commanded us to do.”
WEBThey spoke to Moses, saying, “The people have brought much more than enough for the service of the work which the LORD commanded to make.”
ASVand they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which Jehovah commanded to make.
YLTand speak unto Moses, saying, ‘The people are multiplying to bring in more than sufficient for the service of the work which Jehovah commanded to make.'
DARBYand spoke to Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work that Jehovah commanded to be done.
BBEAnd said to Moses, The people are giving much more than is needed for the work which the Lord has given us orders to do.
WebsterAnd they spoke to Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.

What does Exodus 36:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough, &c.--By the calculations which the practised eyes of the workmen enabled them to make, they were unanimously of the opinion that the supply already far exceeded the demand and that no more contributions were required. Such a report reflects the highest honor on their character as men of the strictest honor and integrity, who, notwithstanding they had command of an untold amount of the most precious things and might, without any risk of human discovery, have appropriated much to their own use, were too high principled for such acts of peculation. Forthwith, a proclamation was issued to stop further contributions [Ex 36:6].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 The people bring much more than enough - With what a liberal spirit do these people bring their free-will offerings unto the Lords! Moses is obliged to make a proclamation to prevent them from bringing any more, as there was at present more than enough! Had Moses been intent upon gain, and had he not been perfectly disinterested, he would have encouraged them to continue their contributions, as thereby he might have multiplied to himself gold, silver, and precious stones. But he was doing the Lord's work, under the inspiration of the Divine Spirit, and therefore he sought no secular gain. Indeed, this one circumstance is an ample proof of it. Every thing necessary for the worship of God will be cheerfully provided by a people whose hearts are in that worship. In a state where all forms of religion and modes of worship are tolerated by the laws, it would be well to find out some less exceptionable way of providing for the national clergy than by tithes. Let them by all means have the provision allowed them by the law; but let them not be needlessly exposed to the resentment of the people by the mode in which this provision is made, as this often alienates the affections of their flocks from them, and exceedingly injures their usefulness. See Clarke's note on Gen 28:22, in fine, where the subject is viewed on all sides.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Exodus 36:5 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיֹּאמְרוּ֙vai.yo.me.Ruand they saidH559
אֶל\־'el-toH413
מֹשֶׁ֣הmo.ShehMosesH4872
לֵּאמֹ֔רle.Mor<to> sayingH559
מַרְבִּ֥יםmar.Bim[are] multiplyingH7235
הָעָ֖םha.'Amthe peopleH5971
לְהָבִ֑יאle.ha.Vi'to bringH935
מִדֵּ֤יmi.Deimore than sufficiency ofH1767
הָֽעֲבֹדָה֙ha.'a.vo.Dahthe serviceH5656
לַמְּלָאכָ֔הla.me.la.Khahfor the workH4399
אֲשֶׁר\־'a.Sher-whichH834
צִוָּ֥הtzi.Vahhe has commandedH6680
יְהוָ֖הYah.wehYahwehH3068
לַעֲשֹׂ֥תla.'a.Sotto doH6213
אֹתָֽהּ\׃'o.Tah<obj.> itH853

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Exodus 36:5

  • 2 Chronicles 31:6-10

    And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and laid them by heaps. In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord, and his people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. …

  • 2 Corinthians 8:2-3

    How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

  • 2 Chronicles 24:14

    And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the Lord, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the Lord continually all the days of Jehoiada.

  • Philippians 4:17-18

    Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

  • Philippians 2:21

    For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.

  • Exodus 32:3

    And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
32:3; 2Ch 24:14; 31:6-10; 2Co 8:2,3; Php 2:21; 4:17,18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Exodus 36:4

    And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;

  • Exodus 36:5

    And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make.

  • Exodus 36:6

    And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.

Read all of Exodus 36

Exodus 36:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y hablaron á Moisés, diciendo: El pueblo trae mucho más de lo que es menester para la atención de hacer la obra que Jehová ha mandado que se haga.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		et parlèrent à Moïse, disant: Le peuple apporte beaucoup plus qu’il ne faut pour le service de l’œuvre que l’ Éternel a commandé de faire.
German
Elberfelder 1871		und sprachen zu Mose und sagten: Das Volk bringt viel, mehr als genug für die Arbeit des Werkes, das Jehova zu machen geboten hat.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		dixerunt Moysi: Plus offert populus quam necessarium est.